Linda Marie Wade, 76, of Camdenton, MO, formerly of Marshall, died Friday, November 1, 2024, at Lake Regional Hospital in Osage Beach.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, November 7, 2024, at Campbell-Lewis Chapel in Marshall. Burial will follow in Ridge Park Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Instead of sending flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to the University of Central Missouri Alumni Foundation or the American Heart Association. An online guestbook is available at www.campbell-lewis.com
Born October 29, 1948, in Marshall, she was the daughter of the late Norman Paul Nelson and Addie Marie Draffen Nelson. Linda was a 1966 graduate of Marshall High School. On July 15, 1967, she married Larry Allen Wade who survives of the home. Education was an important part of Linda’s life, not just educating students, but continuing her own education as well. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education from Central Missouri State University, now University of Central Missouri. She continued furthering her education throughout her life and earned her Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Texas. Her career as an educator took her to schools in Appleton City, MO, Clinton, MO, Knob Noster, MO and Harlingen, TX. Linda worked in the Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District for 21 years and served as the Superintendent of Schools for 7 years prior to her retirement in 2008. During her career she worked to obtain several grants to provide additional funding for innovative programs, served as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Texas- Pan American, as well as serving in numerous leadership roles for many educational associations and advisory boards. A few of the boards she served on included the Boy Scouts of America, Harlingen Housing Authority, and the University of Central Missouri Foundation Board, having served as board president in 2014; and received numerous awards and honors throughout the years.
While Linda had a distinguished career, her family was her top accomplishment. She and Larry were blessed with two sons, and no doubt she loved her husband, two sons and daughters-in-law, she was elated when three granddaughters came along and they were “Granny’s Girls.” She also enjoyed travel, antiques, reading, dancing, and enjoying life to the fullest. She will be missed by all who knew her.
In addition to her husband, Larry; she is survived by two sons, Stacey Allen Wade (Krisy) of Pleasant Hill and Jeremy Edward Wade (Jamie) of Lee’s Summit; three granddaughters: Addey, Macey and Delanie; one sister, Sheila Mikle of Blue Springs; one brother, Dean Nelson of Marshall; as well as nieces, nephews and other extended family.
Linda was preceded in death by two sisters, Gina Lowe and Bridget Crafton.